Definition of "tell tales" [tell tales]

• To lie, to be making false claims. (verb)

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• "To go to his confessor and tell what he suspected and knew of Urien would be to deprive Urien of the whole value of the sacrament of confession, and to tell tales upon a comrade in travail; the former was arrogant in Rhun's eyes, a kind of spiritual theft, and the latter was despicable, a schoolboy's treachery."
• "When dinner was over they began to tell tales of their own, but Beorn seemed to be growing drowsy and paid little heed to them."
• "Even if she were a little mad, there were things to recommend her—like the fact she had no kin in the village to tell tales to; and like the fact she had come with sense enough and skill enough already to take care of herself if trouble did come."